Yesterday, we took you to ITVET for a 5 hour meeting between the joint unions and GOB's negotiation team. The Minister of Labor, Florencio Marin Jr, was also an observer in that meeting. He explained that they have an obligation to mediate if they need and now they're waiting until Sunday, which is when the unions will respond. He said he's also keeping a close eye on the trade dispute between the KHMHA and its workers union.
Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of Labor
"The unions told the government side that they will respond on Sunday. So from there we will know, because one of the things in their letter they wrote was that they have reached an impasse. And, well, from what I saw in the meeting, I mean, it did seem quite constructive in the conversations they have."
"I actually enjoyed witnessing it. But I'll have to wait until Sunday to see what the response is. And I'm hoping it's a positive one."
Reporter
"And then in relation to the letter from the management of the KHMH, notifying that there is an impasse there, what are the options that you have in terms of contributing to a possible resolution?"
Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of Labor
"We have the same options. Again, I will need to sit with the ministry team on this. Again, perhaps we can tell them continue the dialogue. That's the first option, continue dialoguing, and hopefully they can come to a solution."
"If not, then myself as the minister, the backup of the ministry, we conduct the mediation. And again, if that does not work, well, then from there again, we go to a tribunal."
Reporter
"How closely are you guys observing the actions that the staff at the KHMH have been taken, most recent a sickout in this whole dispute?"
Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of Labor
"We're monitoring it and all that. But I don't want to comment because then remember, we may be in the mediation. So I don't want to prejudice that at this point in time. But yes, we are monitoring both sides on it."
Unofficial reports say the PSU and the APSSM may be amenable to government's latest increase proposal.
